Delhi Sultanate, Suri Dynasty, Islam Shah (AH 952-960/1545-1552 AD), Chunar Mint Silver Rupee, AH 956. Obv: Arabic legend The Kalima Shahada within a square & the four Caliphs' names in margins, Rev: Arabic legend "al-sultan bin al-sultan Islam Shah bin Sher Shah Sultan khuld allahu" within a square and Nagari legend 'sri islam sah' at bottom, "Jalal ud dunya wa'l din Abu'l Muzaffar" & "zarb Chunar" in margin, 11.28g, 27.00mm, (Similar to G&G # D958, Unlisted type).

 A Stronghold of Sur Power on the Ganges 'Chunar'

Chunar, situated on the Ganges near Varanasi in present-day Uttar Pradesh, held an important place in the rise of the Sur dynasty. Its imposing hilltop fortress guarded approaches towards Bihar and Bengal, making it a valuable possession in the struggle between the Afghan leader Sher Khan, later known as Sher Shah Suri, and the Mughal emperor Humayun.

Sher Khan gained possession of Chunar through his marriage to the widow of its former governor, Taj Khan. The fortress provided him with a secure base and strengthened his position while he was still building his power in eastern India. Humayun besieged Chunar in 1532, but a negotiated settlement allowed Sher Khan to retain it while accepting nominal Mughal authority.

Chunar again became a focus of conflict during Humayun’s eastern campaign of 1537–1538. The Mughal army eventually captured the fortress after a prolonged siege, while Sher Khan was extending his control over Bengal. The wider struggle was decided by Sher Khan’s victories at Chausa in 1539 and Kannauj in 1540, which drove Humayun from power and established Sur rule over northern India.

Chunar’s importance under the Sur rulers is also preserved in its coinage. Silver coins bearing the Chunar mint attribution are recorded for both Sher Shah and his successor, Islam Shah. The British Museum holds a silver issue of Sher Shah attributed to Chunar, while an illustrated Islam Shah rupee dated AH 955 (our coin in AH 956) provides evidence of the mint’s continued activity under his son. These issues belonged to the silver rupee currency established under the Surs, whose influence continued into the Mughal period. 

A Suri coin from Chunar therefore carries a connection to one of the dynasty’s most historically significant strongholds. The coin is similar to G&G # D958, where the Hijri year below Shahada is usually omitted on the obverse & reverse is of 'Khuld Allahu' type, instead of 'Khuld Allahu Mulkahu'. G&G do not list such a variety for the type. Graded by NGC as MS 62 top Pop, Rare.